Public Policy Team Maintains Farm Bill Pressure on the Hill

Last week, NPMA staff met with the offices of Senator Doug Jones (D-AL), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) to educate staff about the importance of passing a farm bill that includes NPMA priorities. These meetings are part of a larger educational push with Senate Democrats to present a balanced view on the pesticide provisions within the House version of the Farm Bill. Early rumors indicate an extension is likely, but it is up in the air whether the extension will run through the lame duck session in November, or until the new Congress is seated in 2019. If extended at all and Democrats take the House, expect that this Farm Bill will not pass, and the Democrats will create a new bill next year more in line with their priorities. If extended and the Republicans continue to control the House, the bill is more likely to pass in November. NPMA staff also attended fundraisers for and spoke about the importance of our Farm Bill issues to Senator David Perdue (R-GA), Small Business Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH-1), Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI-1), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-23), Rep Andy Harris (R-MD-1) and the Blue Dogs Coalition.